Former Saracens coach Andy Farrell will rejoin the England coaching set-up next month.

The Rugby Football Union have announced that the former dual code international, who left Saracens back in June, has put pen to paper on a three and a half year deal and will take charge of England's backs and defence.

The 37-year-old was part of the England coaching team during the 2012 Six Nations on an interim basis but turned down the full-time job when it was offered to him in the aftermath of the tournament. England boss Stuart Lancaster turned to Mike Catt to fill Farrell's role on the recent tour to South Africa and he may yet remain within an expanded coaching set-up.

Following his departure from Sarries, Farrell was inevitably heavily linked with a role with the England side and he is delighted to reuniting with Lancaster and fellow assistant Graham Rowntree. "I loved every minute of coaching England and working with Stuart [Lancaster] and Graham [Rowntree] and this group of players in the Six Nations and to get the opportunity to do it permanently is a dream," said Farrell. "I have watched England in South Africa and I am massively excited about the potential that was clearly evident in the three Tests and midweek matches.

"I had seven very special years with Saracens and the club will always have a fond place in my heart. I am grateful for the help they have given me as a player and a coach and I wish everyone involved the best in the future."

Farrell's deal will run until January 31, 2016 and he will be tasked with helping orchestrate England's assault on the 2015 Rugby World Cup. "He is a special coach and an individual and the way this team has developed is a testament to the foundations that we laid in the Six Nations," Lancaster said. "Andy, Graham and myself work well together and I am looking forward to carrying on that close relationship over the next three-and-a-half years as we build towards a home World Cup.

It is also understood that Saracens have agreed to waive Farrell's six-month notice period that frees him to work with England ahead of a testing series of November internationals against Fiji, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

"I'd like to thank Saracens for the professional manner in which this has been concluded and am very grateful for their agreement to recognise the national interest and to accept Andy's early release from his notice period," RFU CEO Ian Ritchie said. "I know how much Andy enjoyed his years with Saracens and it is a great credit to the club that they have helped him develop so quickly into what we are confident will be a fine international coach.

"This is another positive step forwards for Stuart and the England team as we look to build towards the autumn internationals and beyond."